149 
Field Marks. Large size, huffy colour, and long decurved bill for a Curlew. Size is 
the best criterion in distinguishing the Long-billed Curlew in life from the Hudsonian. In 
general, it is more pink in colour, especially under the wings, the Hudsonian being more of 
an olive brown. Anywhere in southwestern Canada the summer Curlew is the Long- 
billed, the Hudsonian being only a spring and autumn transient. 
Dislribvtion. North America. Breeds along our southern border and southward from 
the interior of British Columbia to Manitoba. Has almost disappeared from eastern and 
western extremes of its range and only locally common elsewhere. We have several records 
from the British Columbia coast. 
The finest of the Shore Birds. Not so spectacular in colour as the pink 
and white Avocet or the banner-winged Willet, but with a picturesque 
distinction of its own, and of sufficient size to make it conspicuous. The 
powerful flight on long, pointed wings; the clear-cut, distinctive outline, 
long sickle-bill extended and legs trailing; and the exultant, care-free whistles, 
clear, musical, and prolonged, unite to make this a notable bird that em- 
bodies the spirit of the open range more than any other bird, and one that 
cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm in the sympathetic observer. 
Figure 175 
Specific details of Hudsonian Curlew; scale, §. 
a, barred axi liars; b, median crown stripe; 
c, profile of head; d, tooth-marked first primary. 
The commonest call note is a clear 1 1 Pil-will,” so nearly like that of 
the Willet that it can not always be distinguished from it. Other notes 
resemble those of the Upland Plover. One especially delightful is a long- 
drawn ‘ 1 Curl-e-e-e-e-u-u-u , 1 ’ sparklingly clear and rising in the middle 
about five notes, then dying gradually away, lowering in scale and volume. 
The entire call lasts about three seconds of time. As these birds alight they 
run along the ground a few yards, with their ample wings still raised straight 
over their backs, uttering their long whistle. Like the Godwit they build 
their nests on the uplands at some distance from water and it is not until 
the young are hatched that they seek the edges of the pools and resume 
wader-like habits. 
Whether we can retain such a large and conspicuous bird in settled 
country remains to be seen; this rests largely with the popular feeling of 
the communities they inhabit. Much Baid on this subject under the head- 
ings Avocet, Godwit, and Willet applies equally well to the Curlew. 
